Key Moments in Commemorative Art: 3 Exhibitions at the MFA Houston
- Barbara Newey
- Jan 11
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 2
Friday, May 23, 2025
Pavia Tapestries, Surrender of King François I, c. 1528-31
John Robert Cozens, View of Vietri and Raito, Italy, c. 1783, watercolor over graphite on cream laid paper
Tamara de Lempicka, Young Girl in Green (Young Girl with Gloves), c. 1931, oil on board
Enjoy the photos below from our unforgettable day at the MFA Houston!
What began as a daytrip to view the Picturing Nature exhibition expanded into an exploration of the glamorous Art Deco paintings of Tamara de Lempicka and the breathtaking Pavia Tapestries—each offering its own kind of magic!
We returned to the beloved Cleburne Cafeteria, our second visit to this Houston institution. Having learned from our first trip, many of us shared generously portioned entrées and desserts. The food and service was, once again, outstanding!
Art, history, and wonderful company made for a day we won't soon forget!
Knights in Shining Armor: The Pavia Tapestries
7 enormous Renaissance tapestries displayed alongside impressive examples of 16th-century arms and armor commemorate the Battle of Pavia, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V's 1525 victory over French King Francis I during the 16th-century Italian Wars. The hangings were inspiring in both size and detail!
Picturing Nature: The Stuart Collection of 18th- and 19th-Century British Landscapes and Beyond
With docent-guided tours featuring the Stuart Collection, we traced the evolution of landscape painting during a time of dramatic transformation in Britain. Up-close, we studied the works of the great figures in the evolution of British landscape painting: Richard Wilson, Thomas Gainsborough, John Robert Cozens, and J.M.W. Turner.
Tamara de Lempicka
We were drawn into the opulent world of Lempicka. Her stunning works—classic portraits, sensual figure studies, and melancholic still lifes—were presented in a striking installation. With works that exude cool elegance and sensuality, Tamara de Lempicka helped to define Art Deco.
To honor her flair, we ended the day with a toast of pink champagne.
Cheers to Tamara de Lempicka!
Express your interest to Barbara Newey / Art Wise TX
